Functional Analytic Psychotherapy

Using Awareness, Courage, Love, and Behaviorism to Improve your Relationships and your Life

Human beings thrive in connection. Research has repeatedly shown that we live healthier, happier, more vibrant lives when we are connected to others. Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP) is a research-based approach that uses the therapeutic relationship to help clients develop more satisfying and meaningful relationships. Sometimes we have learned ineffective ways of relating to others because of our own fears, our past history in relationships, or simple habit. FAP is designed to help you overcome these barriers and have more deeply fulfilling relationships with yourself and others that might not have previously seemed possible. This type of therapy tends to be most transformative for people wanting to improve their relationships, or for people who notice a sense of dullness or a sense of something missing from their lives.

What can I expect in this type of therapy?

In FAP, you and your therapist will identify ways that you struggle with relationships. You will then see if there are ways that those same struggles show up in the room with your therapist. And they often do because after all the common denominator between your relationships outside the therapy room and your relationship with your therapist is YOU! Once you have identified the places where your relationship struggles overlap, your therapist will bring compassion and empathy but also directness and authenticity to these struggles while helping you identify and practice new behaviors in session. Then you will work together to take these new behaviors out into the relationships in your life that matter most.

What can I expect from my FAP therapist?

Clients often find therapy with a FAP therapist to be dynamic, connected, personal, and real. FAP therapists practice the core principles of awareness, courage and love in their own lives and are willing to be authentic and vulnerable with their clients in order to help them grow. We also practice noticing the ways that they are not effective in relationships because of fear, defensiveness, or old habits. We work to model openness and honesty about our own experience and remain committed to learning from each of their clients. Many FAP therapists will tell you that courageously sharing ourselves and helping others to do the same helps us create deep, loving relationships in our lives.

Is FAP similar to any other types of therapy?

FAP is aligned with a set of research-based empirically therapies called Third Wave Cognitive Behavioral Therapies, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). FAP is similar to ACT in many ways and is based on the same scientific theories, behaviorism and Relational Frame Theory. Like ACT and DBT, FAP therapy is a combination of working with acceptance and change, depending upon what is the most effective for you and your relationships. FAP can be used alone or in conjunction with other therapies.

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Portland Psychotherapy is special. I have the utmost confidence in each of the clinicians here. They are compassionate, genuine, and have formed a model clinic in the scientist-practitioner tradition. They are committed to effectively implementing research-supported treatments and also work to advance the science in our field through psychotherapy research. The clinic enjoys an outstanding reputation among other mental health professionals as a top-notch evidence-based practice. This is a place …

Portland Psychotherapy is a unique and valuable resource in our community as it is staffed by therapists trained in various specialty areas. Drs. LeJeune and Luoma, who started the clinic, are highly respected professionals in the community, known for their extensive knowledge and expertise as therapists, researchers, and trainers. I have referred several of my clients to Portland Psychotherapy and have been most impressed and reassured by the feedback I have received about their experience. I …

This clinic is run by leading experts in the field, using evidence based methods that have been shown to work. If you are facing complex or long-standing problems then this is definitely the place to go. You will receive treatment from experienced, compassionate, well trained therapists who will deliver a high level of care. I have known and worked with Jason Luoma for over 6 years and can tell you that he is very committed to helping people develop lives that are fulfilling and satisfying.

Portland Psychotherapy is a unique practice. It not only provides knowledgeable, compassionate and highly effective treatments for their clients, but it is also a place where the therapists are actively involved in cutting edge clinical research to find ever more effective ways to serve their clients to help improve the quality of their lives. I know all of the therapists in this practice through participation in an ongoing peer consultation group for over 2 years, and I can say without hesitati…

What Makes Us Unique

Portland Psychotherapy is a clinic, research & training center with a unique business model that funds scientific research. This results in a team of therapists who are exceptionally well-trained and knowledgeable about their areas of specialty.

Our research lab has dedicated research funding, space, equipment, and staff. We also host postdoctoral fellowships, mentor volunteer research assistants, and provide ongoing training to professionals working in the community.